Need Advice

[Bob Camarena]

I have a 1981 Catalina 30 with a badly oxidized tan hull. I first tried Island Girl Crystal Clear, but the oxidation was so bad I used rubbing compound first. After using the rubbing compound I washed well with diluted Island Girl Pink and rinsed well. After that I again used Crystal Clear (paper towel method) with better results, but after two applications it was still somewhat streaky. I tried applying Silkenseal, but it came out pretty blotchy.  I'm wondering what I've done wrong. Is my hull too far gone? Do I need to keep applying more coats of Crystal Clear? Am I using too much, too little?I sent a simmilar msg to your Island Girl e-mail address but decided to try this as well. Any advice?

 

[Jim WIllis]

I already replied directlly

I already sent you a reply via the IslandGirlProducts.com1. Youhave no need to use compound at all with our cleaner/conditioners but you HAVE TO USE THE SCUFF PAD to open up the surface for the CRYSTAL CLEAR TO PENETRATE.THis will work better than any compound or cleaner and will preserve the gelcoat too. SInce I have no record of sending you product you probably got from a shop that did not provide the 3M pad.2. As long as you removed excess cleaner (details in my other reply to you) do not worry about any streaking with SILKENSEAL on its own over the gelcoat as it is only a "sealing coat" for a good paste wax (collinite, 3M). If you want a "wet look" of the wax and to preservie it (even a good aste wax is dull by 3 months) use SILKENSEAL over this.3. Best of all use our SIMPLY BRILLIANT SUPERQAX that is a sealant/wax combo and you just wipe it on. But do shake the bottle first and put on in thin coats. I also e-mailed you an instruction sheet as an attachmnet. I know they are at TAP plastics in San Leandro and will check that all stores getting product have instructions too.TO re-interate, you should get better and faster results than with any other product. In fact at boat shows we offer a $100 reward if anyone can prove that another product system is betther and more versatile. However (as above) there are one or two important points as emphasized above.Call me at 1-800-441-4425 and let me know if this was of help!ThanksJim W

 

[Larry]

Tan C30 hull

Bob; I used to have a tan C30 and got good results with two applications of SeaPower, a cleaner/wax. Larry W.

 

[Matt]

Try tan Interlux Brightside

No cleaner out there will last more than a month or two if your gelcoat is showing bad oxidation. At least Brightside will last a season or two and there is less work involved.Just my 2 cents...

 

[Bill]

Clear spray

Several people around here have started to have their boats spryed with a clear coat. It really does make them look pretty good and is cheaper than painting. I don't know what type of clear coat it is or how long it lasts but would be curious if others are aware of this tactic.

 

[Bruce Harkness]

No clear

Keep the original gelcoat finish if at all possible. Clear coats will fail over time and will chip and scratch if bumped. You will not be happy with the clear coat over time.

 

[Bob Camarena]

Thanks Jim

Just wanted to finish this thread off. After Jim Willis'advice I now have half the hull looking great. I followed Jim's advice, and finished off with the Simply Brilliant Superwax. Next weekend I'll finish off the port side.Thanks, Jim.